S Goa coastal works likely to be completed by June

Margao: The works for developing infrastructure on South Goa’s coastal belt under the central government’s Swadesh Darshan Scheme are expected to be completed by June this year, according to a response at the Assembly session.

Responding to a question by Marcaim MLA Ramakrishna
Dhavalikar, Tourism Minister Manohar Azgaonkar listed the works undertaken and
completed under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme that was implemented in the state in
two phases. In his response, Azgaonkar
said that permission from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) was
still pending for development of parking area and illumination at Colva and
Benaulim beaches worth Rs 13 crore but it would be completed by June, 2020.

Other works that have received GCZMA permission but are
yet to be completed include the construction of three tourist facilitation
centres, drinking water cabin with RO signages at Colva, Mobor and Utorda at an
estimated cost of Rs 7 crore, construction of four public amenities such as toilet
block, changing rooms at Colva and Palolem at an estimated cost of Rs 7 crore,
supply, installation testing and commissioning of premium smart mobile toilet
(ladies, gents and physically-challenged) worth Rs 4 crore at Sernabatim,
Varca, Fatrade, Cavelossim, Mobor, Siridao and Utorda.

GCZMA approvals have also been granted for supplying,
installing, testing and commissioning of solar streetlights, CCTV cameras and
gazebos at Utorda and Colva and providing hotspot and WiFi connection at
Benaulim, Colva, Utorda, and Palolem costing Rs 69 lakh was also expected to be
completed by June 2020.

Works marked as having been completed include supply and
commissioning of self-propelled sweeping machines for beach area application
amounting to Rs 2 crore, installation of high-mast lamps and arm posts in North
and South Goa costing Rs 5 crore, supplying and commissioning of rescue/ feeder
boats in South Goa costing Rs 1.42 crore, supplying and commissioning of water
scooters at Rs 50 lakh and procurement of four buses under the scheme costing
Rs 93 lakh.